Storage Device

ABSTRACT

A storage system and apparatus having at a windowed component, a return item compartment, a plurality of communication compartments for parents, teachers and others, a calendar component and a dry erase surface to facilitate communication by parents in joint custody situations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of carrying bags, and in particular to bag with functionality for date tracking and securely storing medication, medical and dental devices, messages and other belongings that must be transported by children of divorced or separated parents.

BACKGROUND

Roughly 40% of U.S. marriages end in divorce. When children are involved, the norm in most legal jurisdictions to is to award primary custody to one parent, and visitation to a second parent. However, there is an increasing movement to award joint custody. Many states have passed legislation or have legislation pending which would make joint custody presumptive.

The rationale behind this legislation and the movement for joint custody is that divorce is an adversarial process in which parents are encouraged to fight it out so that “the better parent” may win. By removing primary custody as an incentive, it is argued that the best interests of the children may be better served.

Joint custody has also been documented to improve compliance with court-ordered child support arrangements. U.S. General Accounting Office statistics indicate that only 44.5% of fathers with no visitation pay the support due. In contrast, 79.1% of fathers with visitation privileges pay the support due 90.2% of fathers with joint custody pay the support due

However, critics of joint custody policy site research and report that it is difficult for a child to travel between two homes, particularly during a school week. A dual custody arrangement requires coordination of medications,. transporting clothing and belongings, scheduling of health care and other appointments, supervising home work assignments (particularly those spanning several days) and communication about matters requiring joint decision making. Some items (e.g., expensive eye glasses or a dental retainer) are not practically transported. With respect to medication, it may be impractical to remove single pills from a container, and this may result in problems with regard to tracking whether the medication is taken as prescribed as well as pose hazards in separating the labeling from the medication itself. Similarly, teacher conferences, medical and dental care all require critical coordination in parent communications.

Joint custody arrangements often require parents to assume new responsibilities that they did not have during the marriage. For example, fathers who were not the primary parents during their marriages may need to administer medication and supervise homework assignments. Parents may also have personal feelings about a former spouse, which may make communication difficult.

Glossary

As used herein, the term “return item compartment” means a compartment designated for items to be returned or to remain with the child in each parent's home.

As used herein, the term “communication compartment” means a compartment designated for notes or instructions, which may have optional labeling or locking features. Examples of communication compartments include, but are not limited to, parent communication compartments, teacher communication compartments and health care communication compartments.

As used herein, the term “windowed component” means any pocket, pouch, sleeve or containment component that allows a communication to be visible. For example, a windowed component may be used to insert and view a calendar, memo, notes, checklists and/or emergency information.

As used herein, the term “closure component” means a component consisting of a strap, a zipper, a hook, a Velcro closure, a snap, or combinations thereof.

As used herein, the term “voice recording component” means any electronic device which can record an audio message and be stored and played by a user.

As used herein, the term “medical device compartment” means a pocket or pouch designated for medical and dental devices such as inhalers, EpiPens®, diabetes devices, or other small devices a child may need to treat particular medical conditions, and which may further include locking, moisture barrier or sterile features to accommodate medical and dental devices.

As used herein, the term “medication compartment” means a pocket or compartment designated for any medication in the form of pills or liquids that a child may need to treat particular medical conditions and which may further include locking, moisture barrier, or sterile features to accommodate storage and transport of medications.

As used herein, the term “dry erase surface” means any glossy surface; most commonly colored white, where non-permanent markings can be made. A dry erase surface may also include a surface for marking with a crayon, grease pencil, wax based writing material or other ink, dye or marking material known in the art.

As used herein, the term “dry erase surface protection component” means a covering that protects writing on a dry erase surface from being smeared.

As used herein, the term pen means any writing implement known in the art, including a dry erase marking pen, grease pencil or traditional pen

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention disclosed herein is a storage device having at least one windowed component, a return item compartment, a plurality of communication compartments, at least one dry erase surface and at least one closure component. In various embodiments, there may be multiple communication compartment (e.g., a parent communication compartment and teacher communication compartment) with optional locking mechanisms. Other embodiments may include additional features such as voice recording components, a key holder, a medical device compartment and a medication compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of a closed storage device.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of an open storage device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present invention, references are made in the text to embodiments of a storage device, only some of which are described herein. It should be understood that no limitations on the scope of the invention are intended by describing these exemplary embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as the dimensions of a storage device, alternate but functionally similar material(s) from which the storage device is made. The inclusion of additional elements may be deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those described in the written description do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these possible modifications are mentioned in the following description. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed apparatus or manner.

It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various drawings refer to identical or near identical structural elements.

Moreover, the term “substantially” or “approximately” as used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. For example, one embodiment of the storage device as disclosed herein may be comprised of a single multi-dimensional and/or textured component, while others may include multiple multi-dimensional and/or textured component.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of storage device 100, which has the appearance of a traditional bag with a strap known in the art. As FIG. 1 illustrates, storage device 100 includes a plurality of communication compartments 50 including, but not limited to parent communication compartments, teacher communication compartments and health care (e.g., therapist or social worker) communication compartments. Each communication compartment contains information meant for a particular designation. For instance, parent communication compartments contain information for parents, whereas teacher communication compartments contain information for teachers. In various embodiments, storage device 100 may have more or less communication compartments.

In various embodiments, storage device 100 may further include a dry erase surface 25, which may be incorporated in windowed component 20, so that parents can easily jot down, and change notes and appointments. In various embodiments dry erase surface 25 may include dry erase surface protection component 28 to prevent it from smearing.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of one embodiment of storage device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, communication compartments 50, return item pocket 60; medication device compartment 40; medication compartment 45; key holder 80; voice recording component 55; windowed component 20; closure component 70; and confidential notes compartment 90, and dental appliance holder are shown in arbitrary arrangement. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, named compartments, pockets, pouches, holders or components may be constructed from fabric, plastics, composites, or generally any material known in the art to be used in bags or sacks, and may be attached by glue, thread, tape, Velcro, or any other attachments known in the art.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, communication compartments 50 are shown on the inside of flap 15, arranged side by side and centrally for easy location and exchange. In various embodiments, communication compartments 50 can be pockets or pouches of any standard construction known in the art, and are designed to be located in an accessible area on storage device 100. In addition, medication compartment 45 is also shown in the embodiment in FIG. 2, as a centrally located pocket or pouch which can be designated for any medication in the form of pills or liquids that a child may need to treat particular medical conditions. Medication compartment 45 is also designed to be located in an accessible area on storage device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, optional voice recording component 55 is also included to allow for detailed verbal or other audio instructions between parties.

In the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 2, return item pocket 60 is also illustrated as a pocket on the inside of flap 15 designated for items that must be returned when a visit is over. In various embodiments, return item pocket 60 is designed to be located in an accessible area on storage device 100. In the exemplary embodiment, confidential notes compartment 90, shown adjacent to return item pocket 60, is a pocket or pouch designated for information parents would like to exchange in confidence. In various embodiments, confidential notes compartment is designed to be located in a discreet or otherwise hidden area on storage device. 100, and may contain a locking mechanism known in the art to protect sensitive information from being viewed by a child.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 also displays windowed component 20 attached to flap 15 and designed to provide a location for parties to view and write a visible checklist of items enclosed in various pockets and compartments of storage device 100. In various embodiments, dry erase surface 25 (not shown in the embodiment in FIG. 2) may be incorporated in windowed component 20, so that parents can easily jot down, and change notes and appointments. In various embodiments dry erase surface 25 (not shown) may include dry erase surface protection component 28 (not shown in FIG. 2) to prevent it from smearing. In alternate embodiments, windowed component 20 may be attached to storage device 100 by any conventional means such as tape, glue, thread, wire, etc., and may be exposed for note-taking or covered by transparent, translucent, or opaque material to protect written notes from smearing or erasing.

Also illustrated in the embodiment in FIG. 2 is closure component 70, which is located on the inside of flap 15 and acts to close storage device 100 when filed. In the exemplary embodiment, closure component 70 is a snap, but in alternate embodiment may be a strap, a zipper, a hook, a Velcro closure, a snap, or combinations thereof.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, medical device compartment 40 is also illustrated on storage device 100 to store medical devices such as inhalers, diabetes devices, dental devices, or other small devices a child may need to treat particular medical conditions.

Further, key holder 80 is also shown in the exemplary embodiment and is capable of holding keys or key rings for consistent safekeeping. Medical device compartment 40, medication compartment 45, and key holder 80 are designed to be located in an accessible area on storage device 100. 

1. A storage device apparatus comprised of: at least one return item compartment; a plurality of communication compartments; at least one dry erase surface; and at least one windowed component.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said return item compartment further includes at least one closure component selected from a group consisting of a strap, a zipper, a hook, a Velcro closure, a snap, or combinations thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a dry erase surface protection component.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes an electronic component selected from a group consisting of a voice recording component and a GPS component.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a medical device compartment.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes an optional attached pen.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a key holder component.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, which further includes a medication compartment.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one communication compartment of said plurality of communication compartments is selected from a group including a parent communication compartment, a teacher communication compartment and a health care communication compartment.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said communication compartment includes optional locking mechanisms.
 11. A parent communication system comprised of: at least one return item compartment; a plurality of communication compartments; at least one dry erase surface; and at least one windowed component.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said return item compartment further includes at least one closure component selected from a group consisting of a strap, a zipper, a hook, a Velcro closure, a snap, or combinations thereof.
 13. The system of claim 11, which further includes an electronic component selected from a group consisting of a voice recording component and a GPS component.
 14. The system of claim 11, which further includes a medical device compartment.
 15. The system of claim 11, which further includes at least one optional component selected from a group consisting of a pen, a key holder component and a dry-erase surface protection component.
 16. The system of claim 11, which further includes a medication compartment.
 17. The system of claim 11, wherein said communication compartment is selected from a group including a parent communication compartment, a teacher communication compartment and a health care communication compartment:
 18. The system of claim 18, wherein said communication compartment includes optional locking mechanisms.
 19. A storage device apparatus comprised of: at least one return item compartment; a plurality of communication compartments; at least one medication compartment; at least one medical device component; at least one calendar component; at least one dry erase surface; and at least one windowed component.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 that further includes an electronic component selected from a group consisting of a voice recording component and a GPS component. 